Haryana proposes to set up migrants resource centre

Chandigarh, March 11 (IANS) The Haryana government has proposed setting up a migrants resource centre in the state to check illegal immigration and facilitate migration of skilled and unskilled workers to other countries, an official said Thursday.

Haryana Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati Thursday sent a communication to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in this regard.

"We have appealed to the UNODC to set up migrants resource centre in Haryana with the help of International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Earlier, we had also sent a proposal to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to set up pre-departure orientation centres at Panchkula and Gurgaon towns to assist prospective migrants," Gulati said.

She added: "To curb illegal migration to other countries, we had set up overseas placement bureau, in 2007. It also helped the youth to get overseas employment by providing expert guidance to cater to the growing demand of both skilled and unskilled workers like technicians, IT professionals, engineers and doctors in foreign countries."

According to official records, so far the overseas placement bureau has successfully placed applicants in Middle East countries. They have also received inquiries for physiotherapists in the US through its consultants.

Gulati said the practice of illegal immigration in Haryana is mainly prevalent in districts adjoining Punjab, like Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Kaithal.

"To keep a tab on unscrupulous agents, we have made it mandatory for the recruiting agencies and agents, who are facilitating job seekers to get an overseas job, to get registered with the government. Even in case of any marriage of an Indian citizen with a person of foreign domicile, we verify his/her details from the embassy of the respective country," Gulati said.